just a number

they say a relationship doesn't become official until facebook relationship statuses are updated. i say a personal connection isn't real until i add you to my cell phone book.

he's back again, and for the first time in 2 years he's listed in my phone.

every sporadic time that his number has come up on my phone over the past couple years i have instantly known who it was. there was no need to program the number in my phone. i knew it when i saw it.

furthermore, if it were in my phone i would be tempted to call or text and it's been in my best interest not to have that availability. he comes and goes from my life like mosquitoes or fireflies - sweeps back into my life for a while, just until i get used to the company, then all of a sudden one day i realize that they're gone. it's anywhere from 3-6 months before he returns.

tonight as i sat in the company of two great friends, at a table with great food, listening to great music (ok, not-so-great, but the series there was nice so i left it) i found myself selecting his latest text and adding a new contact to my phone book. so when he called to wish me a good night and sweet dreams tonight, i saw his name instead of a seemingly random set of ten numbers on the screen.

he's not just a number anymore. i have claimed his connection to me. i have claimed him.

do you ever feel like you're 'just a number'?

in class.
at the mall.
at the party.
in the grocery store.
at the gym.
during the morning commute.
in your family.
on your team.
to your boss.
in your church.
to God.

does any of that ring true for you?

i can't promise much from this list. unfortunately, all of us will be just a number at times throughout our lives. God though,.... God has numbered every hair on your head (Luke 12.7). You are clearly more than a number. God has claimed your connection. God has claimed you.